Bowers and Pitsea match report
match report by Jamie Cutteridge
In many ways, a 0-0 draw with Bowers and Pitsea was a fitting way to mark Rob Tolfrey’s 500th appearance for Kingstonian, as some good work from the Ks stopper made up for a lack of quality in other areas of the pitch. It was a frustrating afternoon for Kingstonian, looking to continue their momentum after consecutive wins, but they struggled to break down an obdurate visiting site on a glorious September afternoon.
The majority of the game’s chances came in the first half. Dan Thompson twice forced good saves from Callum Chafer in the visitor’s goal, first firing a volley straight at the keeper, before seeing his low drive tipped round the post. At the other end, Kenzer Lee got at the end of a cross from close range, but his stretching effort could only find the bar, before Tolfrey was forced to keep one out at full stretch from Max Cornhill’s header. Kingstonian’s best chance fell to Louie Theophanous midway through the half. The best fall to the Ks number yards out, and while his shot was close to Chafer, the visiting glovesman had to use his entire body to keep the shot out, eventually heading the ball away as Theophanous looked to pounce on the rebound. For the rest of the half, Ks were restricted to long range efforts. Some typically fancy footwork from Daniel Bennett found him space 20 yards out, but the winger saw his shot palmed over the bar. Soon after, Tommy Kavanagh’s free kick was palmed away by Chafer to ensure his side went into half time all square.
The second half followed a similar pattern: Kingstonian had plenty of possession while Bowers were content to slow the game down, waste time and hit Ks on the break. That counter attacking threat was much more subdued, and only really created one second half opening for Bowers and Pitsea, but Tolfrey was again equal to the low effort, saving with his legs. Frustratingly, Ks also struggled to create chances. Long range volleys from Theophanous and Thompson never seriously threatened Chafer’s goal. A skidding effort from Fabio Saraiva brought another good save out of Chafer but it was only the late introduction of Reece Hall who gave Ks any kind of impetus, the winger’s 10 minute cameo seemed to frighten the visiting defence, but despite finding some good areas, Ks remained unable to unpick the lock and the game meandered to a goalless draw. It wasn’t the celebratory victory that Rob Tolfrey would have wanted, but it was perhaps the one his time at Kingstonian has deserved.
Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Sean Clohessy, Ben Harrison, Simon Cooper, Ollie Cook, Tom Kavanagh, Dan Bennett, Fabio Saraiva, Louie Theophanous, Gus Sow, Dan Thompson.
Subs: Youssef Bamba (for Dan Bennett, 71m), Calum Davies (for Dan Thompson, 71m), Jerry Puemo, Reece Hall (for Fabio Saraiva, 79m), Lewis Pearch.
Bowers and Pitsea: Callum Chafer, Thomas Hine, Thomas Stephen, Max Cornhill, Kenzer Lee, Callum Leahy, Joseph Gardner, Ben Sartain, Lewis Manor, David Knight, James Thomas.
Subs: Martyn Stokes, Luke McCoy, Quentin Monville (for David Knight, 75m), Max Harbrow, Bradley Warner (for Joseph Gardner, 63m).
Attendance: 241
